‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ to kick off drive-in at pier
Pull up a beach chair and watch a movie while the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash behind you.
That’s the idea as Santa Monica gets set to host a so-called “drive-in” movie at the pier for the first time ever. Films will be screened each Tuesday at 8 p.m. throughout August. This week’s screening will feature the adventure classic, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
The event, organized by the Santa Monica Film Festival, will raise money for the “Cancer Relief Fund,” although the movies are free to the public.
There will be an auction before the movie and the festival will rent chairs for $5. Money also will be raised through the sales of limited concessions. All of the proceeds will go “The Cancer Relief Fund,” which gives money directly to cancer victims and their families.
Michael Cain, founder of the Santa Monica Film Festival, wants to promote independent cinema while raising funds for cancer victims. The festival held its first event this past February, screening dozens of independent films throughout Santa Monica.
Throughout August, classic films including “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Jaws,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Grease,” will be shown on a large screen at the pier.
“It’s family oriented films where you can bring the whole family,” said Ash Christian, who is promoting the event. “Michael Cain thought the Santa Monica Pier is famous so why not do it?”
A screening of an upcoming surfing film called “Step Into Liquid” took place last week on the pier, which gave a preview of what Tuesday’s event will look and feel like.
“It was so cool, sitting on the beach and watching a movie,” Christian said. “This is the first time they’ve screened a film on the pier. I’m really glad it’s happening.”
Before his father died of pancreatic cancer in Dallas, Cain, who lived in Los Angeles as a film producer, vowed that he would find a way to raise money to combat the disease.
He moved back to Dallas and in 1999, founded “Deep Ellum Film, Music, Arts and Noise,” a non-profit organization with a dual mission of promoting the art of filmmaking and the entertainment industry while raising funds to help improve the quality of life to individuals fighting cancer.
428,DEFMAN helps accomplish that through its two annual film festivals held in the historic Deep Ellum district of Dallas and in Santa Monica. Dedicated to the independent filmmaker, both the Deep Ellum Film Festival and the Santa Monica Film Festival showcase the best of local, national and international independent films.
DEFMAN strives to give back to filmmakers, musicians and artists by providing them with exposure, funding and education. Aside from advancing independent film and filmmakers, the mission of DEFMAN is to aid cancer victims in enduring the hardships associated with cancer by providing them with financial assistance.
The monetary aid is generated through the festivals. The funds are then distributed through “The Cancer Relief Fund,” which was established by the DEFMAN Board of Directors. Individual donors are also able to contribute to the fund through private donations.
“The money goes directly into the hands of cancer victims so they can pay their mortgages, groceries and the other things they can’t afford to buy,” Christian said.
Tuesday’s event will have a grand opening before the 8 p.m. showing. Several celebrities will be on hand to walk the red carpet an hour before showtime.
This month’s screening schedule:
Aug. 5 — Raiders of the Lost Ark
Aug. 12 — Jaws
Aug. 19 — Willy Wonka
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 4, 2003. Read the original PDF.